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it's all the same to me。 And when you're done； and say you're done； I'll do
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my talking； according。〃
And when they were done； and said they were done； he straightened
himself and said：
〃When Red Kimball's band give themselves to the law that done
nothing to them； there might of been a man； one of 'em； that never come in
out of the rain。 I ain't saying I am that man； for I stands by the records and
the proofs and the showings of man and man； technical and arbitrary。 But
in due time； the governor of Texas he says that that manwhoever he may
bewas no longer to be excused on the grounds that he done his operating
in No…Man's Land and his residing in the state of Texas。 And he said that
there man would be held responsible for all the deeds done by Red
Kimball's band。 That word has been handed down。 Now whether I'm that
man； or just thought to be that man； makes little difference。 I'm a fugitive
on the face of the earth without an ark of safetyreferring to my cove。
That's ME。
〃Now look at LAHOMA。 She has folks； not meaning you； Wilfred； but
Boston kin that stands high。 A woman ain't nothing without family； out in
the world。 You're going to be a great man some day； if I don't miss my
guess； a great man in Oklahoma government and laws。 Lahoma's going to
be proud of you。 You'll take a hand in politics； you'll be elected to
something high。 If I lived near at hand； I'd all…time be hiding； and having
her a…conniving at something that would hurt your reputation if found out；
and that would kill me because I couldn't breathe under such a load。 And if
away from her； wellI'm too old； now； to live without Lahoma。 She's
she's just a habit of mine。
〃So you puts me in jail。 They does what they likes with me； hangs me
or gives me time； but the point as I see it is this： I'll be disposed of； I'll be
given a rank； you may say； and classified。 Lahoma won't be hampered。
She's young； young people takes things hard but they don't take 'em long。
In due time； them Boston kinfolks will be inviting her and will be visiting
her； and you'll be in congress； like enoughif you wasn't a western man；
I'd say you might be president。 And everybody will honor you and feast
youand as to Brick Willock； he'll simply be forgot。
〃Which is eminent and proper； Wilfred。 I belongs to the pastI'M a
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kind of wild creature such as has to die out when civilization rolls high；
and she's rolling high in these parts； and it's for me and Bill to join the
Indians and buffaloes； and fade away。 Trappers is out of date； so is
highwaymen； I judge。
〃I don't know as I makes myself clear or well put； but if you'll catch up
the ponies I guess your sheriff can handle my meaning。〃
Without much difficulty； Wilfred effected another compromise。 They
waited till night before leaving the retreat。 The reason accepted for this
delay was that in the daytime the deputies would stop them and Willock
wanted to give himself up to the chief in command。 When it was dark they
slipped down the gully whose matted trees； though stripped of leaves；
offered additional shelter。 In the cove； they saw the light streaming from
the window of the dugoutthat famous window that had given Lahoma
her first outlook upon learning。 As the beams caught his eye； a sigh heaved
the great bulk of the former master of the cove； but he said nothing。
In oppressive silence they skirted Turtle Hill and emerged from the
horseshoe bend； finding in a sheltered nook the three ponies that Wilfred
had provided at nightfall。 He had hoped to the last that Willock could be
prevailed on to alter his decision； and even while riding away toward
Mangum； he argued and coaxed。 But it was in vain； and as they clattered
up to the hotel veranda； Willock was searching the crowd for a glimpse of
the sheriff。
The street was unusually full for that time of night； some topic of
engrossing interest seemed to engage all minds until Willock's figure was
recognized； then； indeed； he held the center of attention。 Men gathered
eagerly； curiously； but without the hostility they would have displayed had
not a message regarding Red Feather reached the town。 Brick was still an
outlaw； to be sure； but whatever crimes he had committed were unknown；
hence unable to react on the imagination。 The surviving friend of Red
Kimball； giving up his efforts against Willock on the liberation of Bill； had
left the country； harmless without his leader。
Conversation which had been loud and excited； eager calls from street
corners that had punctuated the many…tongued argument and exposition；
dimmed to silence。 There was a forward movement of the men； not a rush
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but a vibratory swell of the human tide； pushing toward the steps of the
hotel。 The two riderless horses danced sidewiseBrick Willock had
jumped upon the unpainted floor of the veranda； and Wilfred had sprung
lightly to his side。
〃I'll just keep on my horse；〃 muttered Bill； resting one leg stiffly over
the pommel。 〃I can't get up as I used to； and I expect to stay with ye； Brick；
to the jail door。〃
Willock did not turn his shaggy head to answer。 He had seen the
sheriff at the other end of the piazza； and he made straight for him； not
even condescending to a grin when the other； mistaking his intentions；
whipped out his revolver。
〃Put it up； pard；〃 Brick said gruffly。 〃When you come to me in the
cove； a few years ago； I give you a warm welcome； but now I ain't a…
coming to you； I'm a…coming to the Law。 Where's that there warrant？〃
The crowd that had been listening to the sheriff's discourse before the
arrival of the highwayman； scattered at sight of the drawn weaponall
except Lahoma。
〃Brick！〃 she cried； 〃oh； Brick； Brick！〃
There was something in her voice he could not understand； but he
dared not turn to examine her face； he could not trust himself if he once
looked at her。
〃Get out your warrant；〃 h